Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Are Ninja Approved #LoveLittleBites

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Today's conversation is *sponsored by Entenmann’s® Little Bites® and all opinions are my own as always. 

It's October, and many of us are getting into the fall festivities with Halloween on the way! Whether it's pumpkins on the porch, scarecrows on the driveway, or a festive wreath on the door, the fall season is here. Candy is one of those things that is in abundance with it being Halloween time. My little guy does not eat candy (crazy, I know!), but enjoys the occasional treat. Entenmann’s® Little Bites® pumpkin muffins are the perfect treat that he actually enjoys. 

Little Bites pumpkin muffins are available for a limited time, so we will have to stock up while we can. I am not the biggest pumpkin fan, but these little muffins really are delicious! They are baked soft and moist using real pumpkins, and are only 180 calories per pouch. They never contain high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat, which makes this mom very happy. Of course, portion control is always a good thing. I just have to make sure I indulge in one pack, and don't try to sneak a second. Who can resist those little moist, delicious bites of yumminess? I know I surely can't! My son has become the latest Little Bites pumpkin muffin fan. Look at that sweet face 😃

We love some of the original varieties of Little Bites including blueberry, chocolate chip, and fudge brownies. It's the perfect grab-n-go breakfast, lunchbox snack, and would be perfect for class parties or as Halloween treats. I'm always down for non-candy treats. Any kid would love Little Bites in their Halloween sack.

Be sure to connect with Entenmann’s® Little Bites® on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a $25 Visa digital gift card (for online purchases only) and (3) coupons for $5.00 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. Enter below:
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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on October 22, 2017. Please follow all rules in the Rafflecopter widget and be sure to use a valid email. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to claim prize. Please be aware that Mom Files is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged prizes. Good luck!

*The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Entenmann’s® Little Bites® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s® Little Bites®

Signs It's Time For A New Water Heater

A household water heater works behind the scenes in every home. This appliance doesn’t get nearly the credit it should for keeping our lives running smoothly and comfortably — hot showers to name one benefit. For something that's not particularly glamorous, when this appliance fails, it’s guaranteed to cause a bad day for everyone. Watch out for the following four signs it’s time to call the pros and consider installing a new, energy-efficient water heater.

Hot Water Is Not Consistent

Image via Flickr by r.nial.bradshaw

Have you been finding yourself taking quicker showers and skipping your leave-in conditioner treatment? Are your dishes not getting clean when the dishwasher finishes a cycle?

First, check to see if you've tripped the circuit breaker or if the water heater pilot light is out. Are both OK? Next, have a home services specialist take a look at your water heater to decide if the heating coil needs replacement. If it does not, you may need to find a new water heater for your home.

You Can't Remember When Your Water Heater Was Installed

Some appliances can operate for a long time, but a water heater isn't one of them. The age of your household unit can indicate the likelihood that it will need replacement. Think about when your water heater was installed. If the installation date is beyond your memory — or longer than 15 years — you're likely facing a replacement.

You're Hearing Noises

Can you hear a musical serenade coming out of your water heater when you turn up the heat on your shower? Have you noticed that your previously clear water is murky, rusty, or sandy? Does the water have a metallic taste? Sediment and residue from hard water can cause a knocking or popping sound as the water heats. Hard water can also leave a residue in pipes, taking a few years off the life of your water heater.

If you’re hearing knocking or have sandy water, a technician can flush the system as a first step before fully replacing the unit. If your water has become rusty, the rust is a sign that the inside of your unit is breaking down and particles are entering your household water.

Your Water Heater Is Leaking

Have you noticed a small leak or small amounts of water near the unit? If so, you'll want to call a service tech as soon as you can. A slow leak can quickly turn into a flood — and nobody wants to deal with that mess.

Maintaining your water heater never seems to top our list of to-dos until an emergency arises. Watching for the above signs and calling a service tech to inspect your water heater are critical to saving yourself the headaches of a cold shower. You don't want to face that reality on the morning of an important job interview or the day your super-critical in-laws arrive.

Beyond keeping your shower hot, consider the energy efficiencies gained with a new unit. The money saved could be enough to splurge on a new pair of shoes. Who’s the hero now?

Keep Your Family #GermFree24 With Zoono GermFree24

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Today's conversation is sponsored by Zoono USA. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you're a mom, you know how much effort goes into planning and packing for a trip or quick getaway. It might often times look like you're going away for two weeks when it's just a weekend trip. I mean, you can't leave home without all of the essentials, right?

It's almost the same situation for when we get ready to leave the house just to go to the grocery store. Moms have to make certain to be prepped for those just in case moments. We have experienced times where we took our little one out for a quick grocery run, and he came home sick out of the blue. I mean, we homeschool so how did he get sick? Germs can linger anywhere and it's unfortunate that you can come in contact with them without any clue.

There's a great way to combat germs before they take over by using Zoono GermFree24 Hand Sanitizer.

This hand sanitizer is an FDA-compliant, water-based formula that kills 99.99% of germs on contact and keeps killing them for up to 24 hours. Yes, you read that correctly, 24 HOURS! It bonds to your skin’s surface and sets up a nano-molecular layer of “pins” that physically impale and destroy germs on contact. Can you believe that it stays on even with hand washing or sweating? This is so far from your traditional hand sanitizer that stops working the moment water hits your hands.

GermFree24® has been proven to provide long-lasting antimicrobial protection against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses (such as influenza), fungi and mold. Over that time period, you might touch hundreds of surfaces, each covered with tens of thousands of microbes, half of which will stick to your hands. Here’s a breakdown on some of the germs you may encounter over a 24-hour period:

• Doorknob: 8,643 bacteria
• Computer mouse: 79,000 bacteria
• Remote control: 17,000 bacteria

Yikes! That's a whole lot of icky germs and bacteria and think of how often you come in contact with those everyday items. My son loves that it doesn't have a bad scent since he's very sensitive about smells. It's also not sticky at all and leaves no feeling of a film on your hands. The fact that you only have to use it once a day means you are using less, which makes it a great value. 

Zoono products are available on Amazon. You can currently purchase Zoono GermFree24® 50ml Foam Hand Sanitizer ($6.99) here, and the 9ml Spray Hand Sanitizer ($13.99 for a 4 pk) here. I keep the spray in my purse for when I am on-the-go and is perfect for travel. I think this is the perfect hand sanitizer for teachers to keep in their desk for their personal use. It's great for the workplace as well. They make wall dispensers that I wouldn't mind having in my house. 

Reader giveaway: Would you like to try Zoono GermFree 24 for yourself and your family? Enter to win a gift pack for Zoono GermFree24® 50ml Foam Hand Sanitizer, and the 9ml Spray Hand Sanitizer as well as a $25 virtual Visa gift card so you can stock up on more Zoono products for the flu season. Enter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on October 16, 2017. Please follow all rules in the Rafflecopter widget and be sure to use a valid email. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to claim prize. Please be aware that Mom Files is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes. Good luck!

Find Out Why Circle K's Simply Great Coffee Will Make You Ditch Your Barista

CLOSED- Winner is Shayla D

Today's conversation is sponsored by Circle K, and all opinions are my own. 

National Coffee Day is September 29th, and I want to let you know the scoop on where you can get some GREAT coffee without the big price tag. Introducing Circle K's Simply Great Coffee. The name truly says it all! You can get a coffeehouse quality coffee beverage without the long wait in line, or the interaction with a barista. This is especially great for those who prefer less people-ing.

The Simply Great Coffee line of specialty coffees includes: espresso, cappuccino, latte, americano, mochaccino and hot chocolate- All under $3!  They are all prepared with freshly ground beans and fresh milk. 

• Small (12 oz.): $2.29
• Medium (16 oz.): $2.69
• Large (20 oz.): $2.99
• Espresso (2 oz.): $1.29

Their state-of-the-art machines are quite impressive and what you might find in fancy coffee shops, except you can have your coffee in-hand in under a minute. It's very user friendly and the coffee is fantastic! I tried the americano and it's very smooth with no bitterness or cheap aftertaste. They have a full bar complete with any sweeteners or creamers you might want to add. I don't think I have ever been in that well-known, overpriced coffee shop and made it in and out in less than 3 minutes. 

To celebrate the launch, Circle K will serve free 12-ounce cups of Simply Great Coffee beverages from 6 to 8 a.m. during the first two weeks of October. You can follow along on the Circle K Southeast Facebook page to learn which stores will offer free samples each day. That would be perfect on the way to the carpool line for drop off or before heading into work. Who doesn't love FREE coffee?! 

Would you like to try out Circle K's Simply Great Coffee for yourself? Enter below to win a $25 Visa gift card or PayPal cash (winner's choice) so you can taste why it is called Simply Great Coffee. 

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Be sure to connect with Circle K Southeast on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and promotions.

Why Your Child Will Love Magic Sketch!

There's no denying that we live in the digital era. Everything from ordering our groceries, asking Siri or Alexa questions for help, and scheduling our doctors appointments can be done instantly from our digital devices. There are some things that can not be replaced by technology and that is good old-fashioned play time. Kids really need to be engaged in hands-on activities that encourage using their imagination to really learn and grow. 

We recently received the Magic Sketch for review, and my son was thrilled when we opened the box. Magic Sketch is a very simply yet super cool art tablet. There is no real assembly involved, so your child can start using it right away. Magic Sketch comes with a battery already installed, and lasts for years. This means your child can doodle and erase as much as they want! 

How does Magic Sketch work?

You simply use any of the included writing instruments or art tools to write or doodle on the the liquid crystal screen. There are templates included that offer a variety of games, drawing stencils, and learning stencils to practice handwriting, math skills, and more. The stamps and roller are very fun for learning patterns and repetition for younger kids. 

When your child is done drawing or writing, they simply push the button on the top and everything is magically erased!  

My son loves Magic Sketch as a tool to use for practicing or working out math problems. It is super convenient to use during his homeschool lessons. He is not big on art, so he enjoys using the drawing templates to trace pictures and shapes as well as creating his own works of art. Magic Sketch is very helpful to encourage fine motor and writing skills in younger children. The templates are easy to take out and replace, so kids can use it independently depending on their age. Another great thing is that you can make your own stencils according to what your child is interested in or learning at the time. 

Perks of the Magic Sketch

• No messy markers or crayons involved
• Perfect as a practice tablet for homeschoolers
• Great for travel and long road trips
• Kids can entertain themselves and parents don't have to supervise
• It's waterproof, unlike traditional tablets
• No recharging ever, and long battery life (7 years!)
• Makes a great gift for birthdays or holidays 

Where can you get Magic Sketch and what do you get? 

Each Magic Sketch retails for $29.95 and includes:

• Magic Sketch
• Protector Guard
• 1 Roller
• 3 Stamps
• 20 Learning Stencils
• 20 Games Stencils
• 20 Art Stencils

You can purchase it here and this is expected to be a HOT item for the 2017 holiday gifting season. My child loves his Magic Sketch and I think yours will, too. Any child would love to find this under the tree! Just be warned: Adults LOVE Magic Sketch, too!